Controversial plans to build a large visitor attraction on farmland near Abingdon have failed again after an appeal was dismissed.

In 2020, a host of attractions were proposed at the rural site in Culham, including a farm park, a wildlife and outdoor activity centre and a mountain bike trail.

At the time, the ambitious proposal attracted close to 100 objections from villagers as part of a public consultation run by South Oxfordshire District Council.

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The authority decided against the plans in 2022.

Its planning committee said the development would be an “intrusive addition to this currently unspoilt landscape.”

But the applicants, who gave their names as Mr and Mrs Allen, appealed against the decision.

A hearing was held on August 2 this year with a site visit carried out the following day.

While Jonathan Edwards, the government-appointed inspector, found economic and social benefits to the plan – with the creation of jobs and opportunities for outdoor sport from the bike trail – he concluded in his report that it was “insufficient justification” to grant planning permission.

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The parking of vehicles at busy times would “represent a form of encroachment into the countryside”, he argued, and the development would be “inappropriate development in the Green Belt.”

He concluded: “I have found the proposal would be contrary to development plan policies when read as a whole.

“The benefits of the scheme and other considerations provide insufficient justification to grant planning permission contrary to the development plan.”

The appeal was dismissed on Thursday, August 10.